Rogers - iPhone Data Plans

DataGridDotRedraw

Ok, so I picked up my iPhone on Wednesday in San Francisco at this pretty cool Apple store that is two stories and they have a theater that takes up about a quarter of the second floor where they do product presentations. The stairs going up to the second floor are all glass, pretty cool. Anyway, I've been suffering on wifi until I could get home and have access to my router to unlock the phone and pickup a rogers sim.

I just wanted to summarize the available data plans for people thinking of getting an iPhone or those who don't find wifi coverage good enough. In Frisco, arguably the hub of Silicon Valley, the only place I actually found decent (open) wifi was at the Adobe office, where I was hanging out. Even in my hotel, or at any Starbucks, where there is supposed to be free wifi for iPhones (for the iTunes wireless store), I had no luck.

So, Roger's data plans. They come in two varieties:

Light Plans that require a voice plan with them:
Rogers.com - Wireless Essentials

Business Plans that do not require voice and can be setup on a monthly term (no contract):
Rogers.com-Wireless, Digital Cable, Hi-Speed Internet, Bundles

I opted for the 200mb plan in the second link, which should be lots. First, I should note that Edge is slow for web surfing. Check this link for a way to speed it up (I tested it and it works - its from one of the leading guys in iPhone hacking, although this is not software):
cre.ations.net - Blog entry: iPhone tip - want better EDGE speeds? Take your hand off the antenna

I mostly wanted a smartphone for email anywhere, and Edge is fine for that. It's also fine for the occasional web browsing session where you need something fast. So, choose your data plan according to what you need and how available wifi is in your daily movement.

PS - When the girl at the Rogers store setup my account she assigned it a phone number, she said she had to even though I wasn't purchasing a voice plan on it (long story). Then she even phoned it to test, and it rang, but we didn't answer it. She didn't know what would happen if we did and how I might get billed. Anybody know?

HowEver

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RJones

From the Rogers site about the data-only plans:

"If a voice plan is not subscribed to, each voice call (on voice-enabled devices) will be billed at $1.00 per minute and a one-time activation fee applies"

zlinger

With the wireless essentials, can I sign into this plan with my iPhone.... and configure it in the settings. I only want to access email, weather, and some web2.0 apps. $10 for 10MB right. But Rogers said it will cost me $25 for 3MB on EDGE. WTF is that with these astronomical prices for data.

Demosthenes X

If the phone rings, nothing happens. Charges begin to accumulate when one answers a call, not when the phone rings.

As for early cancellation, given it's a monthly term, I'm going to guess it's zero - there's no contract.

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HowEver

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dona83

I find that even 5MB is plenty for me personally. I do a bit of FaceBook when i'm away from my computer, Google Maps to find where I'm going, and mail whenever I'm bored or expecting e-mail. Stick with websites formatted for mobile devices.

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eMac G4 1.25Ghz (six years young) - Dell Vostro V13 Intel SU7300 - iPhone 3GS 16 GB Black Fido

"There are only two great tragedies in life, one is to lose your heart's desire, the other is to gain it." -George Bernard Shaw.

applehead

I haggled the Rogers CSR rep down to $65 for the 200mb plan.

zlinger

This make your plan about $65 (data) + $25 (basic) + $15 (vmail/call display) + $8 (system access fee/911) + + $16 (taxes) = $129 PER MONTH FOR ROGER$. And this gives you zero long distance minutes also.

Too much as a consumer... and even a business. They win if people pay these charges. Boycott or pay as low as possible (unless you absolutely need it). Then make sure they know that you would buy this service if it were competitive.

It would be interesting to determine the increase in revenue if a $20 unlimited package were available, and the volume of customers that would sign into this package. I would for sure.

Maverick

I just got back from a LONNNGGGG afternoon at the local cel phone store in town here going through all the data rate options for my iPhone. Basically, Rogers and Fido are on crack thinking people will pay those rates. Sure, you'll get a few people that probably don't know any better and they'll cancel in <6 mths. I was ready to sign an agreement to get a decent data plan at a reasonable cost and was unable to find anything even remotely close. In the states, its $30/mth for unlimited data. I think that may be acceptable... its honestly a little high considering that's what I pay for cable internet at home (which is used MUCH more than my phone ever would)... $20/mth would be perfect. Anyway, they seem more interested in robbing people blind over data rates in Canada at the moment so I'll stick to free WiFi for now. If Rogers and Shaw ever get their heads outta their azzzz then I'd love to signup, but c'mon!